Miriam Santiago in UPLB: ‘Surveys are unreliable’

LAGUNA, Philippines – Presidential candidate Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago stated her disappointment over survey firms during a forum held at the Univesity of the Philippines Los Baños’ (UPLB) Baker Hall on Wednesday, April 27. 

Santiago said that surveys are not reliable.

“Every time na mag survey sila dahil bayaran’tong mga ‘to e. Bilangin mo nang bilangin, ‘di bale dahil late ako ng kampanya at may sakit ako. Pero bakit sa lahat ng pamantasan sa bansa, saan ka man pumunta, lalo na sa UP campuses bakit palagi akong number one?” she added.

(Every time they conduct surveys, it’s paid. The numbers don’t match. It’s a given that I started late in my campaign and I am sick. But why is it that in almost every university in the Philippines, especially in UP campuses, I’m always number one?)

The presidential aspirant added that our rights to vote should never be forfeited to firms dictating which leaders to choose.

“Sila ngayon ang magiging kingmaker niyan. Hindi naman pwede yun,” she said, telling audiences “to go back to their families and tell them about the historical conspiracy.”

(Survey firms will be the kingmakers this elections. That should not be allowed.)

Santiago has been trailing behind other presidential candidates in most surveys. In the most recent Pulse Asia survey released Tuesday, April 26, Santiago scored the lowest, with only 2% of registered voters said they will vote for her. (Check out the latest poll results in Rappler’s Poll Monitor)

Campus politics

Santiago hit other candidates who she claimed often make promises but do nothing. The senator started her talk with her trademark pick-up lines and expressed her happiness being in UPLB.

“I am never happier than when I am in a UP campus!” said Santiago.

She added that in the real world, she feels insulted because most people are dimwits. But when she’s in UP, she feels at home.

Santiago stressed in her speech that presidential bets must have academic, professional, and moral excellence.

“I have checked out a proposition that any president should be excellent in 3 areas: academic background, professional excellence, and moral excellence.”

Santiago ended her statement about survey firms, encouraging students, “Sugod lang nang sugod hanggang sa makuha natin ang magandang hangarin na mayroon tayong halalan na clean, honest and fair.”

(We should not give up until we get what we all hope for – a clean, honest, and fair elections.) 

Hurried departure

Students expected a good exchange of thoughts with Santiago during the forum. Unfortunately, they were left disappointed.

Both Duterte and Binay were grilled.. can’t wait to watch what will happen in Miriam’s visit.. #MiriamVisitsUPLB

— Sabo (@AkoSiDonBakla) April 27, 2016

According to event organizers, Santiago’s “prior commitments” prevented them from continuing the question and answer forum.

The crowd chanted “Q&A” but Santiago left the forum.

Gilbert, a volunteer of ‘Miriam’s Army’, said the media is one of the reasons why the forum didn’t happen. 

“Dahil nung umakyat yung mga media, dun na nawalan ng chance. Eh kasi ang tagal ng media sa stage. Dinumog. Eh ang alam ko may appointment pa sya ng 6 PM, kaya hinahabol din ang oras,” he said.

(When the media came up the stage, we lost our chance to ask questions. She was crowded by the media. She had a prior appointment at 6 PM so she ran out of time.) 

Some students were dismayed they weren’t able to ask questions. For others, Santiago’s presence was enough.

Ako lang ba naiinis na hindi nagisa ng UPLB si MDS????? T_T #MiriamVisitsUPLB

— Kama (@gandamobed) April 27, 2016

there were problems in the organizing, but it’s enough to see @senmiriam in fighting form #MiriamUtakAtPuso #MiriamVisitsUPLB

— Kent Sydney Mercader (@kentXsydney) April 27, 2016

Witnessed her wit and humor in person  #MiriamVisitsUPLB #MiriamUtakAtPuso

— Shai (@shaiiishai) April 27, 2016

Santiago’s camp said that questions to the senator can be posted in her official Facebook page. They guaranteed that the senator will answer them. – With reports from Abigail Abigan/ Rappler.com

Janella Masilungan is a Rappler mover in Laguna.

Abigail Abigan is Rappler’s lead Mover for Laguna and a recent graduate from the Southern Luzon State University, .